Drawing on the experiences of six rural public works programmes in various countries and an investigation of two major rural employment schemes in India, this book assesses the potential of rural public works as an instrument to promote development in general.

The authors emphasize that the success of public works programmes depends on the political commitment of the government and that radical reforms are needed in public administration. They conclude by arguing for a gradual introduction of employment guarantee schemes for rural landless labour in India as a major way to alleviate poverty.